French minister says there could be more sanctions against Russia

March 07, 2014|Reuters

PARIS, March 7 (Reuters) - France's foreign minister said onFriday that if a first round of sanctions did not succeedagainst Russia in the wake of its military intervention inUkraine, a second could follow, targeting Russian businesses andpeople close to President Vladimir Putin.

"If there are not very swift results, there will be newmeasures aimed at those responsible and Russian businesses,"Laurent Fabius told France Info radio.

On Thursday, the local parliament of the Crimea region,where Russian forces have seized control, voted to leave Ukraineand ask to join Russia in a direct challenge to Ukraine's newgovernment in Kiev.